Dutch rally in second half to beat Bulldogs 21-13

Photo by Jim Mulcahy
Dutch linebacker Justin Riccadonna, 42, throws Redbank Valley quarterback Jake Dougherty, 8, for an 11-yard loss on this play, the last play of the third quarter of last night’s game played at Dutch Country Stadium.

By

Jim Mulcahy

The St. Marys Area Flying Dutchmen rallied to beat the Redbank Valley Bulldogs Friday night at Dutch Country Stadium on Senior Night for the Dutch.
The Bulldogs held a 13-7 lead at the half, with the Dutch scoring seven points in the third and seven in the fourth quarter to win the contest 21-13.
“This was a good win, a tough win,” said St. Marys coach Joe Schlimm. “We were not at our best tonight, but we found a way to get it done.”
“We had four kids (starters) that didn’t dress tonight. Give credit to the other kids who stepped in for them tonight,” he added.
The Dutch offense was led by Cody Baker with 278 yards on 36 carries and two touchdowns.
The Dutch defense, for the most part, played well as Justin Quiggle came up with an interception and Luke Schreiber and Justin Riccadonna had quarterback sacks. Also throwing Bulldog ball carriers for losses were Colby Mahovlich and Jimmy Werner.
The Dutch won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The teams traded possessions to open the contest. The Bulldogs punted on their next possession, with the Dutch taking over on their own 47.
Baker was held for no gain on first down. He picked up eight on second down and seven on third down for a Dutch first down. Baker got the call on the next three plays and gained 11 yards for a first down at the Redbank 25. Baker gained four to the 21. Brian Merritt was thrown for a two-yard loss. Baker gained 10 to the 13. On first down, Baker picked up seven to the six and four yards on second down to the two, giving the Dutch a first and goal. On first down, Baker went the final two yards, giving St. Marys the 6-0 lead. Scott Barber’s PAT made the score 7-0 with 1:40 left in the first period.
The teams traded punts again, with Redbank taking over on the St. Marys 47-yard line. Keaton Delp gained nine yards on first down. Mahovlich threw Dougherty for a two yard loss on second down. Dougherty picked up five yard and a first down on third down. Mahovlich threw Strothers for a five yard loss on first down, putting the ball on the Bulldog 27. Redbank moved out to the 50, where they had a first and 10. On first down, Strothers broke free on a 50- yard scamper, cutting the Dutch lead to 7-6. Zane Watson’s PAT made it 7-7 with 7:21 left in the half.
St. Marys would try a 30-yard field goal on their next possession, with Redbank taking over on their own 20. Eight plays later, Dougherty hit Dean Sesco with a seven-yard touchdown pass as the Bulldogs took a 13-7 halftime lead.
The teams traded punts to open the second half. The Dutch took over on their own 21-yard line after a 19-yard punt by Redbank. On first down, Baker broke into the defensive backfield on his way to a 79-yard touchdown run. Barber added the PAT as the Dutch led 14-13 with 9:12 left in the third period.
The rest of the third period found the teams exchanging possessions via the punt. The Dutchmen’s first possession of the fourth quarter started on their own 35. Merritt gained three to the 38. Baker gained 12 to the 50. He gained nine more on first down and added five on second down to the Redbank 36. Baker went on a 31-yard run down to the five. He gained two yards on first down and one on second down. A motion penalty moved it back to the seven. After an incomplete pass on third down, Robbie Glass went the final seven yards around left end to give the Dutch the 20-13 lead. Barber’s PAT made the score 21-13 with 7:27 left in the game.
Redbank’s next possession was halted on the St. Marys four-yard line when Justin Quiggle picked off a Dougherty pass. Behind the running of Baker, the Dutch got out to their own 14 with a first down. Baker gained eight more on the next two plays, with Glass getting three yards to the 25 and a first down with 2:24 left in the contest. St. Marys picked up a first down then quarterback Justin Quiggle took a knee on three straight plays to run out the clock as the Dutch won 21-13.

Game notes
The Dutchmen are now 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the KSAC Large School Division.

St. Marys returns to action next Friday when they travel to DuBois’ Mansell Stadium to take on the Beavers in a non-league contest.

Last night was Senior Night for the Dutch. The senior players and their parents were recognized in pre-game ceremonies, while the senior cheerleaders and band members, along with their parents, were recognized in special halftime ceremonies.